Traffic has been halted while the incident was dealt with, but several cars had parked on the hard shoulder, blocking access for the police and other emergency services.

A traffic officer who filmed the scene commented:

"Tasked with getting our crisis negotiator urgently to an incident on the M1. The man seen running away from the traffic car is the negotiator! Our path was blocked by the cars on the hard shoulder! Please leave the shoulder clear for emergency services."